NSNDP forces debate on government’s plan to undermine universities’ autonomy

HALIFAX – On Wednesday morning, NSNDP Leader Claudia Chender announced her party is forcing a debate on the government’s latest contentious proposal. The Houston government is attempting to give itself the power to stack the Board of Governors at universities and withhold funds if an institution cannot show how it is meeting the government’s social and economic priorities.

“Allowing the sitting government to appoint a board of governance so that their short-sighted, partisan priorities dictate what students learn or what research is deemed valuable is just plain wrong,” said Chender. “There is no place for government overreach in our universities. Tim Houston must walk back these provisions.”

The Houston government has claimed that Bill 12 is about ensuring financial accountability yet dozens of experts, organizations and advocates have spoken out about the impact these measures will have on post-secondary institutions’ autonomy.

“There is no good reason for a government minister to have the power to decide what is taught, funded or acceptable in our province’s universities and post-secondary institutions – ever,” said Chender. “It’s time they start listening to the people of the province. They are telling us clearly that the Houston government’s surprise agenda, designed to consolidate power instead of serving Nova Scotians, must go.”

Chender was joined by Cathy Conrad, the president of Saint Mary’s University Faculty Union, Teresa Workman, a representative with the Association of Nova Scotia University Teachers, Dr. Diane Piccitto of Mount Saint Vincent University Faculty Association (MSVUFA), Dr. Tammy Findlay (MSVUFA) and Dr. David Westwood of the Dalhousie Faculty Association.

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